Note: In a career context, all numbers are restricted between 0 and 5. However, in a match context, the numbers are not restricted. For simplicity, we are changing the scale here in the report and expressing every Match Impact number as a percentage. The maximum percentage (100) is assigned to the highest impact player of the match. All other players in the match are scaled relative to him. Negative Match Impact indicates that not only did the player not contribute in the match, but he also had an adverse effect on his team’s chances.​​

Australia humbled India by 333 runs in the series opener in Pune on Saturday (25 Feb).

Steve O’Keefe was the highest impact player and bowler of the first Test.

The left-armer claimed a six-for in both innings – putting the home team under pressure ( Pressure-Building Impact ) each time – and finished with 12 for the match (6 for 35 and 6 for 35), nine of which were top-middle order wickets. This was the highest impact bowling performance by an Australian in India, bettering Alan Davidson’s effort in Kanpur back in 1959.

Matt Renshaw (68 and 31) edged Mitchell Starc (63-ball 61 and 31-ball 30) and Steve Smith (27 and 109) to finish as the highest impact batsman of the match.

The 20-year old left-hander’s contribution in a relatively tricky first innings – where he contributed more than a quarter of Australia’s tally, saw off the new ball ( New Ball Impact ) and built partnerships ( Partnership-Building Impact ) – proved vital.

R Ashwin was India’s highest impact player for his match haul of seven wickets (3 for 63 and 4 for 119).

In all, four Indians and two Australians in the match. The high impact performances of O’Keefe, Starc (who had two top-middle order wickets to his credit too), Smith and Renshaw gave the visiting team their first win in India since 2004.